the man many called the first celebrity mayor or three-term run in a turbulent time in the city's history. current mayor of new york mayor michael bloomberg honored the political icon this morning. >> we are going to pay respects to ed koch for a long time because he really made this city what it is today and his successes have been building their years on him. ed was the quintessential mayor. >> nbc's ron allen has more on ed koch's life. >> hi! >> reporter: ed koch was a quintessential new yorker and one of the city's most popular and outspoken politicians. known for his no nonsense in your face colorful personality and the trademark question asked of friends and foes alike, even on "saturday night live." >> how'm i doing? >> reporter: he was born to polish-jewish immigrants in the bronx, new york, 1934. drafted out of college by the army to serve in world war ii. returning home, he began climbing the political ladder. a lifelong democrat who served on new york city counsel and three terms in the congress and in 1977 he became new york's 105th mayor, a job koch often said he wanted for